Recovery

Bariatric Surgery Recovery

You can expect to be discharged from the hospital about one to four days after your bariatric surgery.

It’s not uncommon to feel weak and tired for a few days after your discharge from the hospital. Your body is still recovering from the stresses of surgery. Additionally, the feeling of weakness may be prolonged as your body begins to shed excess pounds.

Discharge Instructions

You may shower at your leisure.

Do not drive for 1-2 weeks.

Do not attempt any strenuous activity, particularly heavy lifting, for approximately 4-6 weeks.

Walk as much as you wish, and climb stairs as you need to.

You can return to work anywhere from 1-6 weeks after bariatric surgery. If your work is sedentary, you may return to work 1-2 weeks after you surgery. If your work is more physically demanding, we recommend waiting up to 4-6 weeks after your bariatric surgery before returning to work.

DO

DON’T

Sip liquids.

Don’t gulp liquids.

Chew solid foods until finely ground.

Don’t swallow large pieces of food.

Stop eating at the first feeling of fullness — learn this signal well!

Don’t eat beyond the first feeling of fullness or discomfort.

Spend more time eating and chewing.

Don’t eat too fast.

Drink enough liquids.

Don’t forget about the smaller capacity of your new smaller stomach.

After first post-op visit, follow a new menu of progressively more solid foods as instructed.

Don’t eat when you’re not hungry.

Expect to experience an occasional episode of regurgitation during your transition from liquids to soft solid foods.

Don’t eat lean meats, fibrous vegetables, and pulpy fruits until other solids are well tolerated.

Add only one new food at each meal.

Don’t eat several new foods at one time (if problems develop, the offending food will be hard to identify).

Crush large pills and tablets for the first 3 weeks.

Don’t worry about the minimum calorie intake — the goal of surgery is restriction of total calorie intake and sustained weight loss.

If vomiting occurs, stop drinking and eating until the feeling of nausea passes. After the nausea disappears, resume drinking liquids before attempting to eat solid foods.

Repetitive vomiting to the point where liquids cannot be retained is rare. If you experience this, you should immediately contact your operating surgeon or nurse practitioner.